D.I.Y. Community Park Created and Subsequently Destroyed in Santa Cruz

Vacant Lot at Pacific and Spruce Reclaimed in Solidarity with Occupation Movement

A community park was established in downtown Santa Cruz on December 3rd when volunteer gardeners gathered at dawn to build raised concrete flower beds, plant shrubs and fruit trees, and build benches. By early afternoon they hung a sign to welcome people to the new community park. "This is an ongoing process of creation," said one of the gardeners, "We'll be planting through the winter. As these new sprouts take root it will be beautiful!"

The community park was subsequently bulldozed on the morning of December 6th by Datum Construction. Community members are asking people who are upset about the bulldozing of the park to contact a list of people and companies. Creating the park was part of an effort to reclaim the commons, to reverse the trend toward privatization of space and give it back to communities.